Du Yu's expression was a little odd, and a scene suddenly played out in his mind.

Li Mengnan pouted her lips and grumbled, "We're all paying for this training, so why am I the one being ridiculed and excluded by those two every day? What a joke... I paid money!"

Du Yu nodded repeatedly, "Right, right, we paid money, paid money."

Li Mengnan suddenly changed the subject, her eyes lighting up with anticipation, "So, how strong are you now?"

She wasn't trying to show off or anything, she genuinely believed Du Yu would be impressive. After all, even back at the newbie training camp, Du Yu had already shown off extraordinary talent.

Du Yu gave a faint smile, "I should be a tiny bit stronger than you."

"Of course you are!" Li Mengnan looked convinced, nodding with approval, "My second bro is invincible!"

Du Yu: "..."

What, you just buy it like that?

Aren't you gonna ask for details?

I haven't finished flexing yet, and you just...

Li Mengnan said, "I'm kind of like an early graduate now. The team leader said this training program isn't suitable for me anymore, and even refunded half my tuition."

Du Yu muttered under his breath, "You sure it's not because you got expelled for fighting?"

"Get out!" Li Mengnan rolled her eyes at Du Yu, "What are you up to lately anyway? Need me to find a Demon Tamer Prentice·Peak Stage team so we can train together?"

Du Yu's heart warmed at her words—he knew she meant well and wanted to help him.

Du Yu replied, "I'm doing training with Teacher Yang Qingqing right now."

Li Mengnan could tell both Du Yu and Xiaoyan were in a good state, "So you get along well with Teacher Yang?"

Du Yu nodded, "Teacher Yang is really nice—gentle, patient, and super responsible. Compared to Old Demon Gong, it's like night and day. Ever since I started learning from Qingqing, I haven't been yelled at once."

"Hehe." Li Mengnan smiled, "That's good. Looks like we misjudged her before. Anyway, make the most of your training with your teacher. It's bound to be better than any outside training team I could find."

Oh right, Du Yu, I've got some inside info for you."

Du Yu: "What info?"

Li Mengnan put on a mysterious look, "Rumor is, the City Demon Spirit Cultural Bureau and the City Demon Spirit Bookstore are collaborating on an event."

Du Yu: "A competition?"

Li Mengnan: "Kinda. Apparently, it'll be something like an Otherworld expedition, specifically for newbies like us. They want us to learn more about the Demon Spirit culture and history of Ancient Pine Tower City. We should get the notification in a few days."

Keep an eye on the bookstore's official site these days. I hear the rewards are super generous. First place gets a Demon Pet and a Library Ring. Let's join together when the time comes!"

Demon Pet? Ring?

Upon hearing that, Du Yu started getting ideas.

He wasn't too interested in the Demon Pet, since he only had one empty Acupoint Home, and Master Qing had already reserved it.

If that was the case, Du Yu could help Li Mengnan win a high-potential newbie Demon Pet.

This was a great chance to repay her—a thank you, not just for Li Mengnan, but for the whole Li family.

On the other hand, Du Yu was way more interested in the Library Ring. That's a symbol of honor, and what if it was made of silver or gold—wouldn't that be a windfall?

Du Yu nodded, "Alright, I'll keep checking the bookstore's website these days. Where'd you get this info?"

"Not telling you."

Du Yu: "Tch."

"Anyway, I'm hanging up now. Train hard, and let's catch up in a few days! Bye, Xiaoyan~"

"Yiiing~"

Wind Witch: ^o^

Du Yu waved repeatedly at Wind Witch, but the call had already ended. The "macho woman" was, as always, wild and bold.

Back to the point—an event jointly organized by the Cultural Bureau and the Bookstore, and it's specifically for newbies?

To help newcomers better understand Demon Spirit cultural history?

The Demon Taming World really is full of surprises. But I'm a Demon Warrior now—do I still count as a newbie?

"Yiiing~" Xiaoyan's soft cry echoed, snapping Du Yu back to his senses as he quickly turned around.

"Master Qing." Du Yu hurriedly stood up, looking at the woman who'd been standing behind him for who knows how long.

Yang Qingqing: "A friend?"

"Her name's Li Mengnan, my high school classmate. You've probably seen her, but don't remember—during the newbie training camp exam, we teamed up."

Yang Qingqing spoke lightly, "You two are quite close."

Du Yu scratched his head, "Her mom was our homeroom teacher, and I boarded at their house for the whole of senior year."

Upon hearing that, Yang Qingqing finally nodded, "If there's an official event, it'd be good for you to take part."

"Yes, ma'am."

Yang Qingqing: "I've got a sudden meeting, need to leave now. Go find a Demon Spirit Realm near the city and cultivate under the Twin Trees. Train your Demon Pet well."

Only then did Du Yu notice that Master Qing had already changed into a light green dress.

Yang Qingqing: "Don't slack off. Remember, the Shadow Gu Tower—Demon Warrior stage still hasn't been conquered."

Du Yu froze for a second, hurriedly asking, "Do I still have a chance?"

Yang Qingqing: "At the Demon Warrior stage, it's hard for humans to play a leading role. Demon Pets are the decisive factor. Your Heterochromatic Little Fire Fox has a natural edge—maybe you really do have a shot."

Du Yu's eyes sparkled, "I get it! What do I need to achieve before I can queue up?"

Yang Qingqing said offhandedly, "Normally, both the Demon Tamer and Demon Pet have to reach peak stage in their respective ranks to qualify.

But Xiaoyan's a Heterochromatic Demon Pet and is especially gifted at Demon Skills, so I can lower the bar a bit."

Du Yu asked tentatively, "Great Success Stage?"

Yang Qingqing, however, just reached out to scratch Xiaoyan's chin and said softly, "Remember to take the home entry card when you go out."

"Yes, Master Qing."

Yang Qingqing took the bag handed over by Flower Vine and stepped into her stylish high-heeled sandals, "Over half a month ago, you were no longer an unofficial student. You've gone full official now, and your status is unique—not belonging to any class or year.

No matter where your identity is checked, everyone will see that you're a disciple of mine, Yang Qingqing."

Staring at Master Qing's tall silhouette, Du Yu suddenly didn't know what to say.

Yang Qingqing pressed her fingers lightly against his forehead.

Du Yu reflexively closed his eyes tight. The forehead flick hadn't even landed yet, but he could already feel the familiar "taste."

But Yang Qingqing lowered her hand—the warning had already gotten through, the rest didn't matter.

The last forehead flick should last for a good while anyway.

"Call me as early as you can—preferably before some other Demon Warriors conquer the Ancient Tower." From afar, Master Qing's cool voice floated in.

"Huh?" Du Yu quickly opened his eyes. No forehead flick, and the person in front of him was gone too.

Didn't she just put on high heels?

There's something off about Master Qing!

She makes noise walking in slippers, but goes silent in high heels?

"Ha~" Du Yu let out a sound just like an MC villager, totally baffled.

He grabbed his phone and headed back toward the guest room.

Master Qing's instructions were clear: go cultivate under the Twin Trees. Listening to the master is always the right call—cultivation there must be fastest. Since the Newbie Realm at the South Suburb won't accept him anymore, he'd have to find another Demon Spirit Realm.

Looking at the three bows lined up on his desk, Du Yu picked up the Demon Soldier Silver Fire, grabbed the tactical backpack under the table, and started packing his things.

"Hmm?" As Du Yu was still tidying up, he felt someone poke him in the side.

Turning his head, he saw the Fire Phoenix Tree had rolled up several butter paper bags in its branches, each filled with premium dried fruit, and passed them to Du Yu's face.

"Wow, thanks, Brother Tree." Du Yu opened his backpack and let the paper bags tumble in with a crinkle, "You watch the house for me, 'kay? I'm off to play with the Twin Trees."

Fire Phoenix Tree: ???

The Fire Phoenix Tree was so spiritual, its flexible branches curling into a series of question mark shapes, circling Du Yu with a whole round of "?"...

Du Yu was so bewildered his scalp tingled!

It was only because Du Yu was "sent off on a mission" this time—

If Master Qing hadn't given him this assignment, he probably wouldn't have made it out of the house...

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